Kupwara district administration denies reports of landslide related deaths

After several media reported that five people were killed in a landslide in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on April 29, the district administration issued a clarification on April 30 that no such casualties took place.

Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, told the Asian Mail outlet that there were no flood-related deaths in the Kupwara district.

Rains had lashed many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the closure of intra-district roads.

The water level in water bodies rose across Kashmir due to the continuous rainfall, according to officials.

While a danger warning was issued for the Pohru Nallah in Kupwara district, the water level in other water bodies of the valley, including the Jhelum river, is still below the alert mark. The meteorological department has forecast wet weather till Tuesday evening.

The Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, issued the order to suspend classes in all schools up to the higher secondary level on Tuesday.

The step has been taken as a precautionary measure in view on the incessant rainfall, according to the order.

The meteorological department said, "The weather will improve from tomorrow. The weather will be generally dry with no major activity from May 1 to May 5." Earlier in the day, heavy rainfall in Kupwara district forced authorities to suspend classes in schools.

"In view of inclement weather and avalanche warning issued by JKDMA, the class work in all the schools is suspended across the district on April 29 as a precautionary measure for the safety of students," an official had said.

He had said however, teaching and non-teaching staff shall attend their duties to monitor the situation and ensure safety of assets of their respective institutions.

Some areas of Handwara and Kupwara towns have been waterlogged, prompting authorities to launch an evacuation operation for the affected residents.

((With PTI inputs))